The 7 Wonders of Canada

With so much controversy surrounding the new surveys for the 7 Wonders of the World, it was really no surprise to find that several countries and groups scrambled to put together their own lists of wonders. Canada, of course, was no exception, and in 1997 both the CBC Television show, The National, and the radio show, Sounds Like Canada, sponsored a national competition.

Locals were encouraged to submit their top picks, after which they were given the opportunity to vote for their favorites. A panel of three judges then took the results and picked the ultimate winners. We’ve decided to share not the winners chosen by CBC, but the winners as voted by the Canadian public as a whole.

7. Sleeping Giant

The Sleeping Giant can be found throughout the Northwest section of Thunder Bay in Ontario. This incredible wonder is actually a collection of sills and mesas, but when you look at it from a distance it appears as though there is an actual giant sleeping on the shoreline.

The Sleeping Giant is part of what is now known as Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. There is an Ojibway legend that claims the giant is the body of Nanabijou, the unfortunate giant who was doomed to a life in stone after the location of the secret silver mines was discovered by the white man.

6. Niagara Falls

Situated on the border of Ontario and the state of New York in the United States, Niagara Falls is truly a sight to behold. The falls are situated between what are now referred to as the twin cities: Niagara Falls, Ontario and Niagara Falls, New York.

In the middle of the falls you’ll find Goat Island which separates the two main sections. The Canadian side is known as Horseshoe Falls and the falls on the American side are simply known as American Falls, though Bridal Veil Falls is on the American side as well. These falls are not known for being tall, but for being wide, and are an incredible source of hydroelectric power.

5. Bay of Fundy

The Bay of Fundy can be found in the Gulf of Maine between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. This site is distinct for having one of the highest vertical tidal ranges in the entire world.

Parts of the Bay of Fundy are also considered part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. The Canadian Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada all play vital roles in the upkeep of the entire bay area.

4. NahanniNational Park Reserve

The Nahanni National Park Reserve can be found about 300 miles west of Yellowknife. At the center of the park you’ll find the South Nahanni River, and within the park you’ll find four distinct canyons protecting the river.

Within the park you’ll also find Virginia Falls, a 295-foot waterfall that stands twice as high as the falls at Niagara. Hike around the falls and you’ll find some of the rarest orchid species in the world.

3. Northern Lights

Who could deny the Northern Lights a spot on any list of Canadian wonders? This incredible natural light display can be found close to the polar regions of the earth and tourists usually flock towards Yellowknife in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the phenomenon at night.

The Aurora Borealis, as it is commonly referred to, usually lights the sky in unusual patterns of green and red. The best times to try to catch this incredible natural show are during September, October, March, and April.

2. The Rockies

The Canadian Rockies run from Liard Plain, British Columbia in the north down to the southern end in Alberta and the southern portion of BC. This section of the Rocky Mountains connects to the USA portion in Idaho and Montana.

Believe it or not, the Rocky Mountains do not reach the Yukon, nor do they reach into Alaska. When the Rocky Mountains end they are met by the Columbia Mountains which, despite popular belief, are not part of the Rockies.

1. Cabot Trail

Cabot Trail is one of the most beautiful roadways in all of Canada. It runs through Nova Scotia and takes travelers through Cape Breton Island, Victoria County, and Inverness County. The entire road stretches 185 miles and makes a complete circle around the astounding Cape Breton Highlands.

Cabot Trail is named after an explorer known as John Cabot. It is believed that he landed in Canada in 1497. The first version of the road was completed back in 1932 and leads visitors through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, guides them along the Margaree River, and delivers them to the shores of the Bras d’Or Lake.

We’d like to believe that the Canadian public had a better grasp on what’s cool in Canada and what’s not. While the items on their list are astounding, we have to wonder why the CBC judges chose oddities like a simple canoe or the igloo and included them on their list. Perhaps we’ll never know.

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With so much controversy surrounding the new surveys for the 7 Wonders of the World, it was really no surprise to find that several countries and groups scrambled to put together their own lists of wonders. Canada, of course, was no exception, and in 1997 both the CBC Television show, The National, and the radio […]

With so much controversy surrounding the new surveys for the 7 Wonders of the World, it was really no surprise to find that several countries and groups scrambled to put together their own lists of wonders. Canada, of course, was no exception, and in 1997 both the CBC Television show, The National, and the radio […]

With so much controversy surrounding the new surveys for the 7 Wonders of the World, it was really no surprise to find that several countries and groups scrambled to put together their own lists of wonders. Canada, of course, was no exception, and in 1997 both the CBC Television show, The National, and the radio […]

With so much controversy surrounding the new surveys for the 7 Wonders of the World, it was really no surprise to find that several countries and groups scrambled to put together their own lists of wonders. Canada, of course, was no exception, and in 1997 both the CBC Television show, The National, and the radio […]

With so much controversy surrounding the new surveys for the 7 Wonders of the World, it was really no surprise to find that several countries and groups scrambled to put together their own lists of wonders. Canada, of course, was no exception, and in 1997 both the CBC Television show, The National, and the radio […]

With so much controversy surrounding the new surveys for the 7 Wonders of the World, it was really no surprise to find that several countries and groups scrambled to put together their own lists of wonders. Canada, of course, was no exception, and in 1997 both the CBC Television show, The National, and the radio […]

2 comments on “The 7 Wonders of Canada”

If you are visiting Toronto you are only 1.5 hours away from Niagara Falls. There are many day tours available from Toronto to Niagara falls that you should check out… I know… I know… this sounds like a shameless promo

Comments are closed.

By Stefan Chan

Stefan lives in Sydney, Australia and has travelled all over Asia and the United States. He is a lover of all things pop-culture having made the trek to Comic-Con in San Diego a couple of times and always looking for an adventure!

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